August 24 – Romans 5: 3-4

Romans 5: 3-4 No only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. The word in the Greek that used to be translated “patience” is now often translated “perseverance.” They both have the same idea — “I can do this. I can go through this. I will hold on.” To me it also says that I’ll do this well. I will take any good action I know,... Read More

August 23 – Psalm 40:1

Psalm 40:1 Although you’re probably already doing all of this, these are a few things that help me be more patient. 1). Get a bigger picture. Like — this will pass. Or, in the grand scheme of things, how important is this? Or, is this eternal in significance? Or, mom (or wives or women or people) have been doing this or going through this for millennia; I can, too. 2). Trust God. His timing, His ways. 3). Wait waitingly. That’s how Psalm 40 starts out.... Read More

August 22 – Introduction to Patience

Introduction to Patience Annie, you’ve said your biggest struggle right now is with patience, so I thought I’d do a study of it. And I found some interesting things. The word hardly occurs in the Old Testament. And in the New, it usually means something like perseverance, usually through some kind of tribulation. Makes something like “Oh no, ANOTHER dirty diaper” or even the third straight hour of a screaming healthy baby or here three weeks have gone... Read More

August 21 – Psalm 28:1

Psalm 28:1 Unto You do I cry, O Lord; my rock, be not deaf and silent to me; lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those going down to the pit. This card is for me, not you, this morning, Annie. Since I can’t seem to get beyond myself, you’re going to have to hear me write to myself. All I can do this morning is cry. But I’m not crying to God, I’m wallowing in my situation. I’m just crying. I know — I KNOW — that help comes... Read More

August 20 – Colossians 3:15

I’ve been thinking about peace. If it’s between people or nations, they’re not fighting. So I’ve been trying to put my finger on what’s not at war when it’s within us. I was trying to pin it down to one thing, but have decided it could be many — us against our conscience, or against God; fear against trust; greed against generosity. Lots of things. But it seems like, when we have un-peace, that it would be helpful to pin down what... Read More

August 19 – Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Remember talking about this verse before? This is when the word for peace is repeated — the only time this occurs. “I will keep you in peace peace.” Since we’re wondering HOW to keep our hearts at peace, this might be a good verse to study! It sounds so easy, but, to be honest, most of the time when I’ve tried to keep my mind “stayed”... Read More

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August 18 – Proverbs 14:30

Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body. (NIV) A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body. Science keeps finding new evidence that what Solomon said was true. This verse goes on to say that envy (or jealousy and wrath) rots our bones. Maybe much more literally than we thought years ago. A calm, peaceful heart really does contribute to our health. That’s nice to know, IF you know how to HAVE a calm, peaceful mind! My first... Read More

August 17 – Proverbs 10:17; 12:26

Proverbs 10:17 Amp He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life, but is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray, but causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others. Proverbs 12:26 Amp The [consistently] righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes others to go astray. What an incentive! If I can learn it myself, God makes me a guide for others. Walking... Read More

Planting Fall Mums (While Cooking Stuffed Pasta Shells)

The last few days I’ve occasionally felt a slight chill in the air! Maybe I’m just imagining it. Either way, it seems to me like sufficient reason for planting fall mums. A couple evenings ago, I started up some stuffed pasta shells, in my new quest to have sit-down family dinners more often. I boiled the shells, browned the onion and ground beef, mixed a pack of cream cheese into the meat, filled the shells, and poured taco sauce over them. (The stuffed pasta shell... Read More